Brad Paisley Closes Out 2016 CMA Awards With Reflective ‘Today’

For his performance, Paisley sat at a piano and first told the audience that, as they say, we are not promised tomorrow, but we always have today, and reflected on the importance of this year's CMAs, the 50th annual. From there, Paisley -- wearing his signature cowboy hat, a necklace and a causal T-shirt and jeans -- walked over to a standing microphone. As he sang his new tune, images from throughout CMA Awards history played on multiple screens behind him. The fact that Paisley was on the stage alone, in a single spotlight, surrounded by memorable moments in CMA history, helped his performance feel intimate, but powerful.

Paisley co-hosted the 2016 CMA Awards; it was his ninth time sharing the stage with co-host Carrie Underwood. He is also the winner of 14 CMA trophies throughout his career. The country singer spent 2016 working on a new album; last month (Oct. 6), he released "Today."